The Best Superhero Movie of Each Year of the 1990s

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The most important superhero movie of the 1990s didn’t come out in the 1990s.

Tim Burton’s “Batman” debuted on June 23, 1989. Following a challenging and at times grueling production phase, this film didn’t merely succeed; it transformed into a cultural sensation. It ignited a wave of Batman-themed merchandise, and caught Hollywood’s attention, leading them to recognize comic books not only as inspiration for children’s cartoons or occasional B-movies, but also for major motion pictures with substantial budgets.

In the time that passed, production companies attempted to replicate the success of Batman in several ways. Initially, they tended to mimic its vintage aesthetic and costume design. However, over time, they began adapting lesser-known comic and pulp characters. Additionally, they endeavored to create new superheroes, a strategy that had an inconsistent history, both back then and in the present day.

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By the end of the ’80s, the Burton Batman series had fizzled out in a blizzard of neon colors and cheesy ice jokes (yes, you heard it right, a blizzard of cheesy ice jokes! If Arnold Schwarzenegger can do it, so can I). However, that was also when Hollywood began to introduce Marvel characters into the mainstream with movies like Blade. As the ’90s transitioned into the 2000s, the first X-Men movie was just around the corner. From that point on, superhero films were never the same.

Essentially, the 1990s represented a significant and intriguing epoch in the cinematic history of superheroes. The list you see below highlights this era, selecting one standout superhero film from each of the decade’s ten years. Choosing just one wasn’t always straightforward – the ’90s were quite tumultuous for superheroes. However, my experience of watching countless superhero movies has taught me that when a task is challenging, it’s usually at these moments that a hero demonstrates their true mettle.

The Best Superhero Movie of Each Year of the 1990s

1990: Darkman

The movie “Darkman” often gets overlooked when discussing top-tier superhero films, possibly because its protagonist, portrayed by a young Liam Neeson, is a self-proclaimed “monster” with a grotesque appearance. However, Sam Raimi’s initial foray into the genre was highly successful, combining elements of horror, action, and comedy to create an appealing superhero concoction.

1991: The Rocketeer

Disney had high expectations for their comic-book adaptation, “The Rocketeer,” which originated from Dave Stevens’ independent series. Regrettably, the film underperformed at the box office, despite receiving positive feedback from critics. If “The Rocketeer” had been more successful, it would have been simple to expand Cliff Secord’s (played by Billy Campbell) heroic journey. However, the movie’s modest earnings halted any plans for a franchise. Nevertheless, Disney later reintroduced the concept as an animated series for children, featuring a female version of the Rocketeer who was revealed to be Cliff’s great-granddaughter. The show was enjoyable for kids (my daughters adored it), but unfortunately, Disney discontinued this rendition of the Rocketeer after only one season. Unfortunately, even in different formats, The Rocketeer seems unable to find lasting success.

1992: Batman Returns

In a similar vein to Christopher Nolan’s final Batman, Tim Burton’s last take on Batman can be described as peculiar, eccentric, and complex. It built upon Burton’s initial Batman with an excess-is-best approach – more villains, more gloom, more gothic aesthetics, and more profound melodrama. Keaton’s Bruce Wayne, DeVito’s Penguin, and Pfeiffer’s Catwoman were portrayed as three interconnected lost souls, each scarred by their circumstances and yearning for personal tranquility and understanding. The film is often seen as unusual in the context of blockbusters, but it remains highly engaging, largely due to an underappreciated performance from Keaton and a well-regarded portrayal by Pfeiffer as one of the most intricate female characters in any superhero movie. It’s unfortunate that Pfeiffer’s Catwoman didn’t receive her own film, while Halle Berry’s did; this is considered one of Hollywood’s great misfortunes.

1993: Batman: Mask of the Phantasm

Before the release of “The LEGO Batman Movie”, the animated film “Batman: Mask of the Phantasm” effectively argued that animation was the best format for Batman. Created by the team behind the acclaimed “Batman: The Animated Series”, “Mask of the Phantasm” distilled everything that made that show exceptional – stunning visuals, smooth animation, iconic voice actors – into a nearly flawless 75-minute production. Unlike many Batman films that are overly lengthy and tiring, “MotP” is streamlined and agile, much like a well-crafted 22-page comic book.

The tragic love story between Bruce Wayne (Kevin Conroy, who remains the best Batman in history, voice-wise) and Andrea Beaumont rivals the romance between Bruce and Selina Kyle in “Batman Returns”, and the film’s central mystery retains its impact (unless you spoil it by examining the movie’s action figures). Now over 30 years old, the film has aged gracefully, with its streamlined artwork from “TAS” – a blend of Art Deco architecture and future technology – remaining timeless, even in 1993.

1994: The Mask

Nowadays, it’s rare to go over two months without a major superhero film release. Contrastingly, during the ’90s, superheroes were often associated with low-budget B-movies and many of the adaptations were based on obscure indie characters, such as The Mask, a Dark Horse comic about a magical mask that grants superpowers but also drives its wearer insane (the character Jim Carrey portrayed in the comics didn’t even survive the initial run of The Mask series!). The film adaptation softened the darker elements of the comic and emphasized the more exaggerated aspects, with Jim Carrey delivering a standout performance as the protagonist, whose expressive face under green makeup made the special effects nearly unnecessary.

1995: Tank Girl

Although the initial release of Batman in the early 1990s sparked an influx of superhero and comic book adaptations, several of them struggled at the box office by the late 1990s, threatening to bring the entire genre to a close. Among these financial flops was Tank Girl, based on a popular British comic series by Alan Martin and Jamie Hewlett. The film featured Lori Petty in the title role, battling an evil corporation in a post-apocalyptic Australia. Initially, audiences found this peculiar production unappealing in 1995. However, over time it has amassed a devoted fanbase, and today Tank Girl is rightly appreciated for its imaginative visual style, dark humor, and a feminist narrative that was arguably ahead of its era.

1996: The Phantom

When “The Phantom” appears online (rarely), it’s often to poke fun at Billy Zane’s purple costume, which accurately represents the old Lee Falk comics, or its somewhat silly “Slam evil!” tagline (I don’t see the issue with a superhero needing to fight some evil). However, there’s excellent physical stunts in “The Phantom”, and a charismatic Zane playing The Phantom, as well as a young and strikingly beautiful Catherine Zeta-Jones portraying an immoral pirate. I’m not particularly fond of the conclusive and mysterious laser battle between Zane and Treat Williams, and the movie seems to be a condensed version of a more complex story (or perhaps multiple stories by Falk). Nevertheless, The Phantom has a horse and a wolf as his sidekicks, and in one scene they communicate with each other through barks and growls. That’s hard to beat, Batman.

1997: Hercules

In the 1990s, particularly in the mid-’90s, there weren’t many excellent superhero movies to choose from. You probably wouldn’t have guessed I’d pick “Batman & Robin,” correct? Instead, let me suggest “Hercules.” This film can be categorized as a Disney musical, an animated movie, or a contemporary retelling of a Greek legend. However, beneath its various labels, it is fundamentally a superhero story. Co-director John Musker himself referred to it as their “superhero movie,” which they created because of their shared love for comic books. It contains the essential elements of any great superhero narrative: action, adventure, companions, humor, and James Woods portraying the ruler of the underworld.

1998: The Mask of Zorro

This movie, which kickstarted the trend of modern superhero films, was designed as a follow-up (legacyquel) to an imaginary film, where the older version of Zorro, played by Anthony Hopkins, hands over his mask and swordsmanship to Antonio Banderas. Directed by Martin Campbell, who later made “Casino Royale”, it boasted thrilling action scenes and witty humor from Hopkins. Moreover, Catherine Zeta-Jones made her big screen debut in this movie as the daughter of the original Zorro. Often overlooked, but one of the most enduring and undervalued blockbusters of the ’90s.

1999: The Matrix

Similar to Hercules, The Matrix isn’t derived from a comic book, and while it may not strictly fall under the superhero genre, it certainly blends well with others such as science fiction and martial arts action. However, the film’s final scene suggests that the Wachowskis intended this movie to serve as the genesis of a new superhero character, Neo (Keanu Reeves). Much like Superman, Neo has a secret identity; the main difference being that Superman removes his glasses when it’s time to save the world, whereas Neo puts his on. (His are sunglasses, but the essence remains the same.)

90s Movies That Could Never Be Made Today

American Beauty (1999)

Ignoring the controversy surrounding Kevin Spacey’s role, if a paragon of virtue from Hollywood had played Lester Burnham in ‘American Beauty’, the film would still revolve around a middle-aged man experiencing a crisis, developing an obsession with one of his teenage daughter’s classmates (portrayed by Mena Suvari). His fantasies about her, including imagining her nude and himself pleasuring her in a bath filled with roses, are not portrayed as seedy or inappropriate but rather, as the film suggests, a means of spiritual rejuvenation for Lester, who regains his youthful energy and perspective. Conversely, Lester’s diligent wife, played by Annette Bening, is depicted as a heartless, materialistic shrew, eventually cheating on Lester. If the movie were made today (which is questionable), it would likely face calls for its ban, rather than critical acclaim. It’s almost unthinkable that it would win the Academy Award for Best Picture, as it did in 1999.

Basic Instinct (1992)

Don’t overlook the fact that you were made on this day; the movie “Basic Instinct” nearly wouldn’t have been produced during the 1990s. Its portrayal of sex and violence stirred up a lot of controversy, with LGBTQ rights groups claiming it perpetuated harmful stereotypes about characters like Sharon Stone’s complex bisexual character Catherine Tramell. Some cinemas that showed the film faced protests, but despite this, “Basic Instinct” turned out to be a significant box-office success. Directed by Paul Verhoeven, this movie would likely face even more controversy today, as explicit sexual content in films is becoming increasingly rare compared to 1992.

Blank Check (1994)

In the movie “Blank Check,” a young, quick-witted boy named Brian Bonsall stumbles upon a blank check and writes a million dollars on it without any trouble. However, what makes this story unusual isn’t just the wealth he acquires; instead, it’s the romantic interest he develops in an older bank teller, played by Karen Duffy who is 31 years old at the time. The movie even includes a kiss between them towards the end. This aspect of the film has sparked much conversation online in recent years, especially when discussions arise about Disney or Fox films being considered too mature for streaming on Disney+. Interestingly, “Blank Check” with its questionable romantic scene is available on Disney+ for streaming. (As of now, it still remains so.)

Bulworth (1998)

Without a doubt, the film Bulworth carries a noble intention. It aims squarely at disenchanted politicians who prioritize their donors over their constituents. Essentially, it’s a modern-day version of Network, but instead of media, Congress is under scrutiny. However, the manner in which Bulworth conveys this concept – through a fatigued U.S. Senator (Warren Beatty, who also co-wrote and directed the movie) who begins to use the n-word and delivers lengthy “raps” – might not receive the same level of applause today as it did in 1998. Remarkably, this film – featuring Beatty rapping while dressed in such attire – was even nominated for an Academy Award.

Disclosure (1994)

Regardless of its over-the-top thriller elements, including a questionable chase scene, and the fact that it’s set in the ’90s, the movie Disclosure stands out due to an unexpected twist – the victim of sexual harassment is not just any character, but a middle-aged married man. Michael Douglas portrays this character, a mid-level executive at a tech company, who experiences harassment on his first day with Demi Moore’s character, his new boss. (One might question anyone’s ability to resist Michael Douglas.) Given Douglas’ reputation for erotic thrillers (as seen in films like Basic Instinct, also on this list), the seduction scene between him and Moore is depicted as a highly sensual moment – a controversial aspect of this film that would likely not be tolerated in today’s #MeToo era.

Entrapment (1999)

As a film aficionado, I find myself pondering about the possibility of reimagining the classic film “Entrapment” in today’s world, given a complete overhaul of its casting. In the original 1999 release, an insurance investigator, portrayed by Catherine Zeta-Jones, forms an unlikely alliance with a master thief, played by Sean Connery, to pull off an extraordinary art heist. At that time, Sean Connery was 69 years old, while Catherine Zeta-Jones was only 30. In the event of a modern remake, she would still be almost two decades younger than Sean Connery’s age in 1999! The noticeable age disparity between the romantic leads caused some raised eyebrows back then, but in today’s world, it would undoubtedly generate much more critical scrutiny.

Forrest Gump (1994)

In 1994, I was honored as the Academy Award recipient over movies like “Pulp Fiction” and “The Shawshank Redemption.” The story I embodied, that of Forest Gump, portrayed a man often described as slow, who inadvertently influenced 20th-century American history. My performance as Forest Gump earned me an Oscar, but I believe my portrayal might be viewed differently today. This seems to resonate with Robert Downey Jr.’s monologue from “Tropic Thunder.”

Moreover, the film’s handling of Forrest’s true love, Jenny (played by Robin Wright), is noteworthy. In the storyline, she faces harsh consequences for her 1960s lifestyle with addiction, AIDS, and ultimately death. If this narrative were to emerge in today’s movies, it would likely face strong criticism, as it seems outdated and insensitive by modern standards.

Lolita (1997)

In a different rendition, it can be stated as follows:

Adrian Lyne is said to have intended his 1997 film adaptation of “Lolita” to be a truer representation of Vladimir Nabokov’s novel compared to Stanley Kubrick’s 1962 version. Whether this claim holds true or not, Lyne’s movie portrays Jeremy Irons as the complex character Humbert Humbert, a stepfather who exploits his stepdaughter Dolores (played by Dominique Swain), using soft-focus camera work and Ennio Morricone’s melancholic, wistful music. It is unclear whether Nabokov or Lyne aimed to criticize Humbert’s actions, but the 1990s version of “Lolita” undeniably objectifies Dominique Swain in a manner that would likely be considered inappropriate in today’s era – if the controversial nature of the source material did not already make it so.

Murder at 1600 (1997)

In the ’90s, there was an abundance of thriller movies centered around or near the U.S. government, with a focus on secret presidential scandals. These films became so prevalent that they lost their edge and even seemed dull. However, consider the response if a filmmaker today produced a movie about the assassination of a stunning White House aide, where the evidence pointed to the president’s playboy son or perhaps the president himself – shocking! Or maybe it was the hawkish national security advisor who despises China who was responsible? This is the premise of the mystery movie, “Murder at 1600”, starring Wesley Snipes and featuring Diane Lane as a Secret Service agent who starts to suspect (with valid reason!) that her superior might be involved in a conspiracy. It’s a rather silly film from a time when political thrillers were seen without any political bias. But now, in 2021, such a movie would spark endless discussions on cable news and blogs for weeks.

Super Mario Bros. (1993)

The movie “Super Mario Bros.” lacks explicit sexual content or controversial racial portrayals, unless referring to Koopas as such. It’s unlikely it could be produced today for a different reason. Despite sharing the title with the popular Nintendo game series, this film barely resembles it. Featuring Mario (Bob Hoskins) and Luigi (John Leguizamo), as well as magical pipes, that’s where the similarities cease. The story follows the Mario Bros.’ trip to an alternate dimension inhabited by humans evolved from dinosaurs, on a mission to rescue an NYU student from King Koopa, who bears a striking resemblance to Dennis Hopper.

The film was not successful; released during a time when the internet was still in its infancy, it barely made a mark on pop culture. In today’s world, where fans reacted fiercely over the design of the title character in “Sonic the Hedgehog,” one can only imagine their reaction to the trailer for this version of “Super Mario Bros.

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2025-06-26 17:27